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February 2024 by John Lippert
It's funny how people can give five stars to something that is closed and is not updated on their website. Pretty much a waste of my time to come all the way out here in the middle of nowhere to see nothing. I'm sure this is great when it is open but it is not open. You can go on some trails but the whole reason you come here is the seed, the exhibits and fossils.
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January 2024 by Tucker Lundquist
It was under construction when we went here but the trails are great. The staff is very helpful. There are many signs on the trail that inform visitors of the different opportunities to see fossils. They have white signs on the cliff side to show one fossil. We were not able to see any of the other fossils but enjoyed our hike. Many photo opportunities all around this park. I would prefer longer trails through this area though but I hike really far distances.
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January 2024 by Carrie Randolph
Amazing place! Loved every minute we were there. Very beautiful in so many ways.
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November 2023 by Joe Skeen
Wonderful displays. Kids who like dinosaurs will like seeing the displays and where the bones come from.
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October 2023 by Robert Bevilacqua
Outstanding preserve of dinosaur specimens and great lessons in geology
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September 2023 by Brian Smith
If you come to Dinosaur National Monument then this is the place to visit. Be prepared to do a few hikes if you are able to see fossils and petroglyphs. Visit Josie Morris' ranch too. Most vehicles can access the dirt road no problem.
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August 2023 by Diane F
Thank you for the shuttle going to the quarry. Lots to see but mostly bits and pieces. Who ever digs gets to keep it so not much there to see. Good ranger programs. Nighttime ones too at the campgrounds.
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August 2023 by David DeKorte
I've been to at least 70-80 NPS sites, so I think I have an idea about the quality of the parks and monuments. This ranks toward the bottom of my list.Kids love dinosaurs. We took our children to Dinosaur National Monument expecting to see exhibits with dinosaurs. Although there are actual fossils, there are practically no ways for kids to interact with them. There are very few exhibits in the visitor center, and the store was overpriced. More on that in a minute. Even as an adult, having studied paleontology, I was bored and incredibly disappointed.Last year, we took our autistic son to Dinosaur. The rangers made an accommodation to let him hold representations of some of the fossils. However, when other kids went to look (they were pretty cool hands-on objects), they were turned away. Isn't the point of a place like this to teach? Shouldn't kids be encouraged? Not a good moment.We went yesterday, and mentioned he was autistic, but this time they didn't seem to care. We went through the exhibit, seeing the giant fossil rock wall, but that was really all there was, beside a few representations of dinosaurs.The visitor center seems to primarily focus on their store. The items were severely overpriced compared with other NPS sites. It was blatant, too; a shirt/hat combination was $39.99, even though the price tag tried to cover up the original, printed tag of $26.99.I came away disenchanted and a bit angry. We hoped that a second year would be better, but it was the same or worse. There are so many better sites. Fossil Butte National Monument immediately comes to mind, with significantly fewer financial resources and yet better exhibits than many actual science museums that have dinosaur exhibits. Even the town seemed to care more about dinosaurs than Dinosaur National Monument.Suggestion: take route 44 north of town to Flaming Gorge, then if you have the time, visit Fossil Butte. You will have a better experience.
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July 2023 by Felicity Chase
Second time I've been here. They have a neat little gift shop and a shuttle with similar seating to a roller coaster that will take you from gift shop to quarry area. Neat info graphics and wonderful views. Water bottle fill stations are available. They are out by shuttle stop off rather than restrooms though. Hike down from quarry to gift shop (optional) was longer than expected. Take plenty of water. No elevators for two level building but wide ramps instead
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May 2023 by Marcus M.
As you plan your visit, read thru other reviews. Also use the Google Machine and University of YouTube to familiarize yourself with the Dinosaur National Monument Park. It is a National Park, so Active Duty & Veterans be sure to get your passes. As a retiree, I paid a $10 processing fee for a Lifetime Pass to all National Parks. Upon arrival at the gate you're $free.99.Put on your thinking caps as you explore the vast history. As a child you read books, see movies, and talk about the first creatures that roamed Earth. Now, you actually get an opportunity to see for yourself fossils from the Jurassic period. Initially, you'll drive thru the entrance to stop at a park ranger check-in. Once pleasantries and transactions are completed you'll hang a left to the visitors center. Park and make your way inside the visitors center. Talk to the park rangers to get guidance on how to navigate your visit. For kids, ask the counter for an activity booklet. Once completed at the end of your trip you'll turn it in for them to raise their right hand to oath to take care of the lands prior to receiving a cool little wood badge. We picked up our souvenirs at that time towards the end. We drove our vehicle up to the quarry that I mentioned before that is separate from the visitors center. Once up on the hill you'll park to foot it into the quarry building. I say building, because decades ago it was a tin shack housing the quarry fossils to protect the fossils from being weathered. Wow! Just WOW! The kids were fascinated as we saw actual dinosaurs fossils from the Jurassic period (see photos attached).After we footed it down into the trails, then after back up to our vehicle parked in the quarry parking lot. The advice we got from one of the rangers at the visitors center is; unless you're trying to just get exercise there isn't much to see if you walk up to the quarry from the visitors center. Don't forget to take the 10 mile self/road tour. Grab a booklet for $1 that will help explain the stops along the drive. At the end of the drive you'll see Josie Bassett Morris latest cabin that was built roughly in 1935. It is an actual cabin from her time that has been upkept and still sits there today. Use the Google Machine to look up Josie Bassett Morris. Happy Yelping!
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March 2023 by Evan Meidell
I have been to a few Dinosaur Museums but they hold weight compared to the quarry! It is small but the wall is stunning! We happened to come on a very empty day so we practically had the building to ourselves. We were able to hold all of the park rangers attention and every question imaginable answered. The feeling of the room was somber. It’s something else to know what you are looking at is real. I don’t know how else to explain it.The building even in the winter was heated and quite pleasant.Very accessible for both wheelchairs and strollers.If you have a rowdy 2 year old they will get bored rather quickly I would assume but still worth the trip in my mind!Plenty of bathrooms and a picnic space outside.
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December 2022 by Andy Smith
The whole point of going to Dinosaur National Monument is to come here. This is where you actually get to see how the fossils are found and extracted. The visitor center is quite nice with informative staff. You can walk up to the quarry from here though the trip on the trolly is nice too. There are a few walks from here if its not too hot. Great place to bring a family.
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December 2022 by Marija Balova
Awesome dinosaur fossils display, interesting rock formations and a dessert ambient to walk around. Would like to come back in the summer and camp. The split mountain area looked amazing. It's a huge place and we only went to a small portion of it. Definitely worth the visit and to explore more over multiple days.
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October 2022 by Mallory Corbett
This is such a neat place! Loved all the scenic landscapes and of course the massive dinosaur wall. Amazing!!! There is a free shuttle from the visitor center to the quarry hall (where you see the wall of dino bones). Sadly the gift shop was out of stock of the shirt my husband wanted, but other than that it was a blast.Visitors have access to the park for a whole week, and there are plenty of things to explore to get the most out of your visit. Highly recommend if you're traveling through eastern Utah.
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September 2022 by Matthew Shaffer
The renovation kept the modern feel of this ancient site, the quarry site is exceptional a perfect trip for aspiring Paleontologist or anyone that is interested in dinosaurs kids, adults, or young at heart this is a must see. Worthy of a national monument location. Check out the canyon section just up the green river and look for river rafts to drift by after days on the river in pristine wilderness.
